Swimming

[Scrapnladybug]

My daugher's surgeon said no swimming for 6 months. I wasn't sure if that was because of the risk of infection or because of the movement.

[naptown78]

I did pool therapy at 3 months post op. But before that , I got in the lake because we have a boat. The water felt much colder to me and I couldn't stay in long for some reason. I couldn't hold myself up as usual. My balance was off. It was hard to even tread water. Not sure if it was weakness or what. This summer though at one year post op, I feel more normal in the water, and more "floaty".

[AustinPaula]

Thanks to all. Sounds like I will be able to swim, although maybe with limitations at first. I don't swim competitively - just for fun and exercise. I didn't even think about the fact that the weight of the instrumentation might be a factor. Good grief this is going to be weird! I know a lot of you have done this already but since surgery is this Monday I am beginning to freak out.

Thanks to Rachael in Austin for letting me know you swim also. Who did your surgery? And what was your recovery like (time wise)?

Paula

Thorasic: 48° :-(
Lumbar: 63°
Dr. Von Reuden Austin, Texas

[rachael]

Hi Paula...hope your surgery has gone well.
I had my surgery a long time ago in Dallas at Scottish Rite Children's. The first month or so after surgery was very limiting. I had surgery in July and started high school with really no troubles that September (other than I didn't have to carry any books due to weight restrictions on lifting set by the doctor). Oh yeah, I even took driver's ed that August. I was pretty much doing what I wanted after that x-mas except heavy lifting. (I wasn't involved in any kind of contact sports or anything like that at that point). Within a year I was fully released becaue the fusion had set, so I could do anything. At that point I started skiing and things like that without any concern.
So to answer you question, I'd say recovery is gradual, slower at first, but after the initial recovery, is about protecting the fusion and learning what things you will have to modify.
Take care!